Benchmarking: Who do you benchmark yourself against?

How good are you actually? Do you benchmark yourself against your local peers? Do you strive for a Provincial/State ranking, or do you look further afield, like National or International?

 

 

I know we all strive to improve, and we do this by comparing ourselves to our immediate peers. It's important to know how we rank. That's why Qualifier and Slot matches always get a better turn out than regular club matches; rankings. But what about the 15% or so, of serious competitors? Is a Provincial ranking important? Not really, because you get to compete at a Provincial and National level anyway, regardless. And it's really your National ranking that counts, if you're interested in seeing how you stack up against the country's best. But what if you want to benchmark yourself against the world's best? Well, you could shoot a World Championship, and deduce your ranking from that. But if you're not talented enough to earn a slot at the World Shoot, don't panic, a new service is at hand.

 

Recently I came across a site that is attempting to rank IPSC and USPSA competitors, using past performance. It has potential, and certainly provides a service that has been lacking. It's called IPSCRating.com. Take a look, you may be humbled. If you don't find your name on the list, it means, quite simply, you don't shoot enough Level III matches.

IPSC Equipment: All The Other Stuff - Part II

Okay, so this is a continuation of an article I wrote some time ago. Since that time I've competed in easily 50 matches, in different countries, and at different levels. I've also officiated at everything from small local matches to large national competitions. So I have a better grip on what "other stuff" you may need. 

 

Range Bags

 

You may recall I started out with a conventional range bag. But it didn't accommodate my every growing list of stuff, like space for spare parts, paperwork, shoes, kneepads, liquids. Now there are two schools of thought; either you're a minimalist, and you basically walk between stages with nothing other than ammo in a small bag, and perhaps a few additional items; or you haul everything with you. I fall in the latter category. I like to have a chair, umbrella, rain gear, extra shoes, a cooler, food etc. I figure if I'm there for the day, I want to be comfortable. This meant that my range bag needed an upgrade, but I didn't enjoy hauling all this stuff around. What was I to do? Well, as far as range bags were concerned, there was only one option; the DAA Range Pack Pro. 

 

It is a great piece of equipment. It holds my belt, both guns, shoes, ammo, paperwork, water, spare parts, tools, magazines, rain gear, a chair, basically everything. But it is pricey at $200.00 plus shipping. Then you have to haul this thing around. At least it has shoulder straps. Personally I prefer an easier option.

 

Hand Carts

 

My first option was the DAA Foldable Hand Cart, which is $60.00 plus shipping. I actually acquired one from Canadian Tire for CA$70.00. It works a treat, but it a little short, if you are taller. It has great wheels, and otherwise does an excellent job. Costco sells a similar one for a lot less, but it is rubbish, and the wheels are simply too small to handle rough terrain.

 

The only hassle with the cart is that you have to offload everything at every stage, use what you need, and then pack it all up again. I continue to use my cart for indoor events, where you don't have to haul as much stuff, but I noticed a trend at the larger US matches, and switched for outdoor competitions; a wagon.

 

 

 

 

Wagons

 

Yes, the ultimate in gear hauling devices. I acquired mine from a sports shop somewhere, for about $70.00,  a bargain at the price. They are simply awesome, and I've never regretted the decision. These are available from various outlets, most commonly Costco. I was an early adopter and I've noticed many more of these things around. You can comfortably carry around your cooler, range bag, chairs, etc. They fold flat, and are very easy to use. You no longer have to unpack and repack, since everything is easily accessible. But beware of the lazy team mate that dumps his crap on your wagon.

 

Okay, I must admit, I did "upgrade" mine. I couldn't help myself, and it was for pure vanity reasons. It's the big daddy of wagons, which I acquired from Frontgate for $200.00. It isn't any better, or more functional. It is just more rugged looking and more spacious. Take your pick.

 

 

Rain Gear

 

It is surprising how many times you end up shooting, and working in the rain. Make sure you have an umbrella. A cheap golf umbrella will do the trick. Also, keep a raincoat handy. This helps with your working stints. For shooting, I use a DAA Shooting Vest. It fits in a way that allows me to still access my equipment, and also has a hoodie. It provides warmth and keeps me dry. But I notice they don't stock them anymore. Too bad. 

 

Finally, don't forget the bug spray and sun screen.

2013 Canadian IPSC Nationals: Successfully Concluded

This past week saw the successful conclusion of the Canadian IPSC Nationals. This was an event that attracted over 320 competitors. I was there, of course, but given the remoteness of the site (for Albertans at least) I had chosen to volunteer as a CRO for the week, which helped offset some of the costs. This meant that I shot the pre-match. Being a CRO, at an event of this size, isn't without it's issues, and shooting the pre-match is also something else. Both are stories for another time. The results are viewable here.

 

For those of you wondering what the stages were like, here is a good depiction, courtesy of one of the competitors. Enjoy.

 

 

And here we have a friend, test running my gun.